The World Of Cecil Taylor
Candid, 2022
9/10
Listen to The World Of Cecil Taylor
Originally released in 1961, this improvised jazz set from Cecil Taylor welcomes Buell Neidlinger, Dennis Charles and Archie Shepp for the 6 avant-garde tracks.
“Air” gets the listen off to a drum focused start, where Charles’ firm delivery is met with Taylor’s heavy key presence for 8+ minutes of exploration, and “This Nearly Was Mine” follows with intimate piano playing that builds into a busy display of Neidlinger’s carefully plucked bass acrobatics.
The middle spot belongs to “Port Of Call”, where the brisk keys, bouncy bass and swift drums mesh with a very controlled chemistry, while “E.B.” finds a slightly calmer place to reside that showcases Taylor’s stunning piano progressions that are as unpredictable as they are exciting. The final track, “Lazy Afternoon”, is nothing to sneeze at either, where Shepp’s animated tenor sax suits the energetic rhythm section and the agile keys.
A classic record that sounds better than ever on this remastered version, Taylor’s profound imprint on free jazz is thankfully being preserved well here.
Travels well with: Cecil Taylor- The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert; The Art Ensemble Of Chicago- Tutankhamun